Three youngsters have been arrested by police following an arson attack on a Burnham-On-Sea home in the early hours of Sunday morning (July 21st).
Firefighters from Burnham, Bridgwater, Street and Wiveliscombe were called to the property in St John’s Road shortly before 4am, as we first reported here.
Police spokesman Martin Dunscombe told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “An investigation into the fire has begun and three young men aged between 14 and 17-years-old have been arrested on suspicion of arson.”
Fire crews found the empty detached domestic property was well alight when they arrived and the blaze was tackled with four breathing apparatus, one main jet and two hose reel jets.
“Crews searched the ground floor, first floor and roof space with no-one believed to be inside.”
The cause was under investigation by the fire service and police, with the suspicion that it had been set deliberately.
Nearby resident Tony Haggett told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We woke up to the sound of breaking glass and looked out to see flames leaping out of the downstairs windows. The fire quickly spread to the whole building.”
“The house has been empty for some time and we are pretty sure no-one was inside. The quick response of the fire brigade was superb – they had it under control within a few minutes.”
Crews said that 80% of the ground floor and 50% of the first floor had been damaged by fire and heat, while 20% of the roof space was damaged.
Two fire engines from Burnham plus a further two fire appliances from Bridgwater and an incident command vehicle from Street with a support appliance from Wiveliscombe attended.
Police appealed for witnesses who saw anything suspicious to contact them via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or the non-emergency number 101.
